Land Rover Defender vs. INEOS Grenadier.

Land Rover Defender vs. INEOS Grenadier. 

Having a sense of adventure opens your eyes to a world not too many get to experience, and the road less travelled is often riddled with tricky obstacles and rough roads with a reward waiting at the end. Not any old car will suffice in these conditions, and for years, the tool for the job came in the form of a utilitarian farm truck with a Land Rover badge.

‍

Nowadays, the Defender stands for something more chic and comfortable while retaining its capable off-road ability. However, some will miss the rugged appeal of the past Defender, and the opportunity for a new, tough, and fashionable off-roader has presented itself. This was an opportunity that Sir Jim Ratcliffe seized, leading to the creation of the INEOS Grenadier.

‍

Using components from multiple reliable manufacturers, the Grenadier is somewhat of a Frankenstein-esque SUV that managed to accomplish its maker's goal of a tough, incredibly powerful, yet modern vehicle. With the heart of a BMW, the body of a Mercedes, and the spirit of a Land Rover, the Grenadier was a rather solid off-road competitor straight off the line. But now the question remains: did Land Rover miss the mark with the new Defender? Or is the age of rugged workhorse off-roaders coming to an end?

‍

I have spent a fair amount of time in both the INEOS Grenadier and the Land Rover Defender, and to say that they are vastly different would be an understatement. Let's begin with the name many have grown to love—the Defender. The Defender started its life in 1983, but the name would only find its way onto the workhorse in 1990. 

‍

Traditionally, the Defender was lapped up by wealthy farmers in need of a dependable car that would continue to look good with a few bumps and scratches in the paintwork. It became an icon that many enthusiasts salivated over, and even to this day, collectors are scattered around the globe. Its boxy appearance was distinctive and inspired many dreams involving remote beaches or adventures through the heart of Africa. 

‍

However, in order to keep up with the times, Land Rover recognised the importance of modernising their popular but dated off-roader for something more suited to the brand's discerning client base and to meet modern regulatory requirements. In 2020, Land Rover introduced a more luxurious style update to the Defender. This brought with it a new type of client persona, making the Defender a bigger part of the family's day-to-day lifestyle. It quickly became a status symbol, and to purists, this wasn't received well as it lacked the bare-bones simplicity of the old Defender designation. 

‍

My experience with the Defender left me immensely impressed. Land Rover reinvented the Defender name, which resulted in a car that can pretty much do it all. The cabin experience retains a sense of adventure while offering a comfortable and technologically advanced ownership experience. The air suspension is a standout feature, offering a smooth and responsive handling dynamic on the open road while also providing the option to raise your ride height at a moment's notice to continue along the path less travelled. Elegant colour schemes and material choices make you feel like you're driving something special, and the way it looks invites adventure, even though it's still suited for inner-city driving. The Defender's new 'pretty' mindset has left something to be desired because of its farm truck heritage, which is where the INEOS Grenadier comes into play.

‍

Designers envisioned the Grenadier as a contemporary alternative to the old Defender. Its boxy shape, long-travel suspension, and ladder-frame chassis provide a similar feel to the off-roaders of the late 20th century, but its BMW B57 and B58 engines and modern infotainment systems ensure the INEOS maintains a modern and reliable identity. 

‍

It sort of looks like the old Defender, but if you squint your eyes, you might see that the shape bears some resemblance to that of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Indeed, INEOS manufactures its cars at their Hambach plant in France, which used to be a G-Class production plant. Although the Grenadier appears to be somewhat of a Frankenstein car with the Mercedes-Benz starting point and BMW heart, what this offers is tried and tested parts in a brand new SUV.

‍

The INEOS Grenadier was designed to be an unstoppable force off the road, and that it is. With three locking differentials, plenty of power, and a highly customisable platform off the showroom floor, it embodies the spirit of the old Defender. It has an old-school steering feel, perceivable levels of centre play, and a ride quality that favours gravel roads, leaving you longing for a softer and more responsive dynamic on the tarmac. What it doesn’t lack, though, is character and style. It looks amazing, blending the classic boxy look with modern touches. In the end, you grow to love it, flaws and all. 

‍

So, who got it right? Well, I adore both vehicles for different reasons, and after pondering this question for a while, I couldn't help but submit to the new Land Rover Defender. Although the INEOS has the feel and emotions of the Defender we once loved, Land Rover has created a modern masterpiece. The Defender maintains its go-anywhere DNA in a new, modern, and utterly stunning package. It doesn’t leave you longing for more while it dominates the open road and, with the tap of the screen, transforms into a go-anywhere 4x4. The execution of it all is near-perfect. 

‍

On the other hand, the INEOS grows on you over time, but there is an element of maturity to this new car. It's immensely capable, arguably more so than the Defender, but living with it in the city brings a few flaws to light. Firstly, it is a massive vehicle with a less-than-impressive turning circle due to the ladder frame. Also, due to its off-road-focused suspension, it imparts a bumpy and heavy driving feel on the open road. 

‍

Both of these contenders are fantastic cars in their own right. Both models exude character and encourage exploration, yet given their comparable prices, the Defender edges ahead. It is a well-engineered vehicle that provides the owner with a diverse package capable of dealing with anything life throws at you, whether it's navigating a parking lot or travelling hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest town in the wilderness. So, it’s safe to say that Land Rover knew what they were doing with the new generation of Defender.

‍